A hand pressing a button on a toilet's control panel

Life Tips

All You Need to Know About Japanese Toilets

Japanese toilets can have a lot of buttons. You don't need to use them all. First, it's enough to know just how to "flush."

Find how to "flush"

Ways to flush the water include a lever, a button on the wall, a control panel, a sensor, or an automatic sensor-flush. Look for a label such as "流す (flush)" or "FLUSH."

The "止 (stop)" button and the emergency button

"止 (stop)" is a button that stops the water for the washlet/bidet function. It may be a different button from the one that flushes the toilet bowl. There is also a separate emergency button for people who feel unwell or similar to call for help. Please check the labels and marks.

Telling Apart "Flush," "Stop," and "Emergency"

Flush

Flushes the toilet bowl

Stop

Stops the washlet water

Emergency

Calls for help

How to dispose of toilet paper

Normally, used toilet paper is flushed down the toilet. Do not flush tissues or other trash — follow the facility's instructions instead.